Putting Your Best Foot Forward
- May 2005
- Français
We depend on them from birth to death, and yet 75% of Canadians will experience pain in them at some point without getting medical attention until the problem is severe. Our feet make up one-quarter of the bones in our bodies, and the average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day.
Many people think that some foot pain is normal, but that is simply not the case, says Niagara Health System's (NHS) Regional Chiropody Services Co-ordinator Brian Gabel. "Generally, people are more physically active these days, and it is inevitable that foot problems may develop. While a person walks, his/her feet are taking a pounding; often enduring more than the body weight with each step. The pressure can be three to four times that of a person's body weight with increased activity, and that can lead to many problems."
Chiropodists in Ontario provide medical care for anything below the ankle, says Chiropodist Tonya Ventresca.
The top 10 foot problems are:
- Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain - inflammation of the long band of connective tissue running from the heel to the ball of the foot. Heel spur syndrome is a bony overgrowth on the heel bone. Painful steps first thing in the morning are a common symptom.
- Bunion - an enlargement at the base of the big toe, caused by a misalignment of the joint. Surgery is frequently recommended.
- Ingrown Toenail - nail corners dig painfully into the skin, caused by improper nail trimming, as well as by shoe pressure, injury, fungal infections, heredity and poor foot structure. Women are 50% more likely to have ingrown toenails than men.
- Athlete's Foot and Onychomycosis - skin infection characterized by itching, scaling, redness, and the formation of small blisters between the toes, which can extend to the bottom of the foot. Fungus can spread to the toenails, causing them to become thickened, discoloured, and painful.
- Corn or Callus - a build-up of skin that forms at points of pressure or over bony prominences on your foot. Calluses form under the foot; corns form on top of the foot or between the toes.
- Hammertoe - a muscle imbalance causes a toe to be bent in a claw-like position.
- Flat Foot/Fallen Arches - a structural deformity that causes the lowering of the arch of the foot. People with flat feet may have ankle, knee or low back pain.
- Plantar Warts - caused by viral infections which invade the skin through small cuts and abrasions. Can be painful, particularly if they develop on weight-bearing areas.
- Neuroma - an enlarged benign growth of nerves, commonly between the third and fourth toes, which can result in pain, burning, tingling or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot.
- Achilles Tendonitis - an inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the back of the heel bone and common to athletes who over-train or don't do warm-up exercises.
"A major focus for our practice is diabetes-related problems - about 25% of our patients," says Tonya. "Many of our patients with diabetes are experiencing neuropathy, a loss of feeling in their lower extremities. This results in them having more accidents or stepping on foreign objects and not realizing it because they don't feel the same amount of pain."
A growing area of focus is the fitting of orthotic inserts. With more exercise, comes the need to ensure that shoes fit properly and there is proper support. "Sometimes that support must be specially made for your feet in order to reduce pain from walking and exercising," says Brian. "We are seeing more and more patients who need orthotic inserts for a pain-free day. Orthotics are becoming more a part of mainstream needs, and many health plans cover most or all of the cost."
"Our goal is to correct and/or to provide palliative foot care, to keep our patients as independent and self-sufficient as possible," Brian says. "We've been providing care since 1986, and with locations throughout Niagara, our six Chiropodists are serving more than 7,000 patients each year."
Chiropody clinics are located at the following NHS hospital sites:
- Greater Niagara General Site in Niagara Falls
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Hospital Site
- Port Colborne General Site
- Welland Hospital Site
A new central booking system means waiting times for appointments have been reduced.
To make an appointment, call 905-732-7111, ext. 3270; 905-732-1476 or long-distance 1-800-567-FEET. Your feet will thank you!